Animal Truisms

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

An aquarium is just interactive television for cats.

Buy a dog a toy and it will play with it for ever. Buy a cat a present and it will play with the wrapper for 10 minutes. 

Although cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.

Dogs and cats instinctively know the exact moment their owners will wake up. Then they wake them 10 minutes sooner.

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God.

Dogs may shed, but cats shred.

Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful

I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. 

St. Francis of Assisi: Teenage Sayings
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

Unknown Author: Teenage Sayings
Start every day with an inspiring thought.

Robert Collier: Teenage Sayings
Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of every opportunity of service.

Napoleon: Teenage Sayings
Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.

MTV/AP Study Shows Youth Value Marriage, Family Is the culture getting in the way of their dreams? A seven-month study conducted by MTV and The Associated Press reveals young people find the most happiness in family, religion is important to them, and they see marriage and children in their future. Nearly 1,300 young people aged 13 to 24 years old were interviewed in late April. When asked what one thing in life makes them the most happy, 20 percent said family, the top answer. Nearly three-quarters said their relationship with their parents also makes them happy, and most of the respondents listed their parents as their heroes.

Featured Question:

You have absolute power in your country for 1 hour; what do you do?

I left for Minneapolis at 1:00am this morning and just got back. I attended an immigration hearing for a bond reduction.  The judge was very good.  She reduced Jose’s bond. 

I loved watching the moon eclipse as we traveled.  It was very impressive.   

I hit a skunk on the way.  The stink stayed with us for many miles. 

 By infants You have established strength. 

Discipline rules for a family:
1. We’re all in this together. Right from the start, teach your kids that your family is a mutual support system, meaning that everyone pitches in.
2. Respect is mutual. One of the most common complaints parents and kids have about each other is “You’re not listening.” Set a good example early on: When your child tries to tell you something, stop what you’re doing, focus your attention, and listen. Later you can require the same courtesy from her.

Here’s a very interesting history post of School Days.

We’re taking the entire Kid’s Church to McDonald’s this morning & I’m nervous.  We’ll have approximately 60 kids that will descend upon the playland and I have no reinforcements.  I have no one that would be able ”search and rescue” should that be the mission change. There will be 5 of us on the front line but if they decide to overtake us we’re done.  I say no retreat for the treat of McDonald’s. 

The McDonald’s Experience:  It went fairly good.  Almost 60 kids and 2 adults (Most of my adults bailed out. – I guess it’s only for the brave.)  I’m so thankful for the brave teens that faced the invasion with me.  I would have given anything to video tape all the “viewers.” 
- The many people that were looking in the playland from the safety of being on the other side of the glass.  They had faces on I haven’t seen before;  faces of total amazement.  When we were finished we lined up the kids and marched out of McDonald’s.  Will I do it again?  Absolutely – when I get rid of this nervous tic. 

A fellow xangan hears for the first time:  Cuemommy  Incredieble story. 

On Tuesday I’m headed to Minneapolis.  I’ll be attending a hearing on a guy that’s from Hondoras.  He’s attended our church and now faces the threat of deportation.  Jose has a wife and child and was close to recieving his citizenship.